electroCore’s device to prevent cluster headaches receives approval

electroCore's vagus nerve stimulator called gammaCore, for the preventive treatment of cluster headaches in adults, has been granted approval by the FDA. It is a hand-held device that is applied to the neck and delivers a mild electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve that passes through the skin. It is portable and easy to use so patients can use it themselves as and when they need it. When placed on a patient’s neck over the vagus nerve, gammaCore stimulates the nerve’s afferent fibres, which can result in reduced pain being felt by patients. It is recommended that adult patients self-administer one treatment of three consecutive two-minute stimulations within an hour of waking up and then again seven to ten hours later, to prevent cluster headaches.

“electroCore’s device to prevent cluster headaches receives approval“

Frank Amato, CEO at electroCore, said: “The FDA clearance of gammaCore for adjunctive use for the preventive treatment of cluster headache has the potential to help the approximately 350,000 Americans impacted by this debilitating condition often referred to as a suicide headache. We are pleased that cluster headache patients now have an FDA-cleared option and one that is both safe and effective, especially given the difficulty in treating cluster headache and the limitations of current treatments.”